The Villain's Counterattack

Lin Pingzhi VS Huang Zhonggong, wins!

The last one of the Four Friends of Jiangnan was defeated by Lin Pingzhi easily and decisively. This made the Four Friends of Jiangnan very embarrassed. None of them had expected that the young Lin Pingzhi would actually win. Unlike Linghu Chong in the original novel who took shortcuts, Lin Pingzhi fought against the four old guys with real swords and guns.

But the four of them were not truly free. The Four Friends of Jiangnan were merely jailers sent by Dongfang Bubai to guard Ren Woxing. How could they leave so easily? However, the four of them were also men of their word. They just didn't think clearly before making the promise, and now they were in trouble.

"Mr. Lin is a genius, and the four of us old men are already dead. It wouldn't be a big deal if we could teach him martial arts nearby, but it's really hard to leave our hometown and go overseas." The four friends from Jiangnan gathered together, and the eldest Huang Zhonggong looked at Lin Pingzhi with some embarrassment.

"I knew this would happen." Lin Pingzhi pointed at Ding Jian and Shi Lingwei with a speechless expression. "Although these two have bad tempers, their martial arts skills are not weak. I want to take them to my parents as guardians, but I can't give them back to you."

"That's right." Upon hearing this, Huang Zhonggong knew that Lin Pingzhi would not force him. Although it was indeed difficult to find two first-class servants, they were not indispensable. As long as the four of them were there, it would be fine.

"You four are all distinguished scholars, so you must have a collection of books. Please select ten rare and precious books each. Handwritten copies will do, but originals are fine, as you probably wouldn't want to part with them." Lin Pingzhi began to bargain. "I originally wanted you to be teachers, so these things are indispensable."

The four of them nodded in unison, already knowing Lin Pingzhi's plan. They had a slightly better impression of this young man. Huang Zhonggong took the initiative and said, "Although the four of us are not ordinary teachers, we have only gained this martial arts skill. We are willing to give away our best martial arts skills to compensate Master Lin for his loss."

Lin Pingzhi chuckled and said, "Then I'd be honored to refuse. To be honest, your unique skills are really exciting. Although I was able to break them, it doesn't mean I'm not powerful. It's just that I'm too powerful." His self-boasting made the Four Friends of Jiangnan frown. This guy really wasn't humble at all. He was too shameless.

As if he could discern the Jiangnan Four's thoughts, Lin Pingzhi confidently stated, "Excessive modesty is tantamount to hypocrisy. I defeated you four seniors with my true abilities. If I were to continue to be modest and say my mere tricks were insignificant, how would I put you, the four defeated, in the same position? If I were to claim that my martial arts were so supreme and unrivaled, and that you four had been defeated by a supreme master like me, I'm sure you would feel better."

"Although it's a twisted theory, it's a comforting one." Huang Zhonggong stroked his beard and smiled in agreement. "However, this supreme master can't be easily impersonated. Countless people in the martial arts world will challenge him and use him to make a name for himself."

Lin Pingzhi's eyes lit up. "Then how about I make a rule? If you lose to me, you either have to surrender a unique skill or sell yourself into slavery. Wouldn't that allow me to recruit a steady stream of disciples? I'll prepare a flag that says 'Number One in the World' and have someone hang it outside the gate. The winner can take the flag and receive a reward of 100,000 taels of silver. The loser must either become a slave or leave behind a second-rate unique skill. I'm really too clever!"

You are courting death, a big death!

"We can't start with the Hell difficulty level right away. We need to progress gradually. A three-level system would be best. The first level will be filled by two of my twenty flying cavalrymen. The winner will receive 100 taels of silver and a bronze token. The loser will leave behind a second- or third-rate martial arts technique or a high-quality weapon."

"This second level will be guarded by me, the butler. You need to show your bronze token. The winner will receive 1,000 taels of silver and a silver token. The loser will have to leave behind first-class kung fu or a divine weapon."

"For the third level, I will take on the challenge. Anyone with a silver token or a renowned figure in the martial arts world, such as Master Fangzheng or Taoist Master Chongxu, can challenge me directly. The winner will take home 100,000 taels of silver and the world's number one banner. The loser will leave behind a decent first-rate or top-tier martial art. With the exception of the Grand Master's Seven-Stringed Invisible Sword, which is considered a miraculous skill, the martial arts of the remaining three masters are merely ordinary first-rate."

Seeing the three men seemed unconvinced, Lin Pingzhi couldn't help but shake his head and said, "What's amazing isn't your martial arts techniques, but your people. Others would practice the same techniques their entire lives and at best be mediocre. But the three of you have mastered them and mastered them with ease, becoming the best among the best. How can it not be your people who are amazing?"

After hearing what Hei Baizi, Tu Bi Weng and Dan Qingsheng thought about it carefully, it seemed to be the case. If they said that their skills were powerful, but their achievements were limited due to their poor aptitude, they would be looked down upon. Smiles suddenly appeared on their faces.

After taking the "Seven-String Invisible Sword", "Xuantian Finger", "Stone Drum Acupuncture Brushstrokes", and "Splashing Ink and Sackcloth Sword Technique" from the four people, Lin Pingzhi took back the treasures he lent them, led twenty flying cavalrymen, the butler Xiang Wentian, and the maid Ren Yingying, and escorted the two first-class servants away.

"I have seen a rare and precious spirit in the four of you, but I cannot give these treasures to you casually. I need to use them to deceive more people to work for me. Alas, it is sad to have a big family and a big business but no one to work for me. However, some people are obviously capable, but they choose to be content with pleasure and become trapped in a place. This is also their own sadness. The treasures cannot find their owners and can only be in the hands of a businessman like me. This is also the sadness of the treasures. Eighty to ninety percent of things in the world are not as we wish, and this is the case with everyone." After Lin Pingzhi finished speaking, he laughed loudly and left.

Seeing Lin Pingzhi's youthful arrogance, Heibaizi felt itchy and whispered, "Brother, although Lin Pingzhi is a bit arrogant, his words are his bond and he is quite obsessed with martial arts. There are people in Meizhuang who can surpass him. If Mr. Ren..."

Huang Zhonggong's face darkened and he shouted in a low voice, "Shut up, there is no Mr. Ren in my Plum Manor."

"Brother, don't you want the 'Guangling San'? I've only read a few pages of 'The Book of Vomiting Blood' and I feel it's profound and unfathomable. And there's 'Traveling in Mountains and Rivers' and 'Casual Letter'. Lin Pingzhi really deserves the reputation of the Lin family's prodigal son. It costs a huge sum of money to get such good things, but he easily takes them out to gamble with others. If he's not careful, he'll lose everything." Hei Baizi was quite envious, and Tu Bi Weng and Dan Qingsheng also looked eager.

Huang Zhonggong shook his head slightly and said, "This boy is no ordinary person. He has been able to defeat the four of us old fellows in a row. I'm afraid his martial arts skills are not far from the peak. He came to challenge us, perhaps with the intention of honing his skills with the help of the heroes of the world and reaching the pinnacle. Compared to the top masters, these entertainments are nothing. But this kid puts us four old guys first, which makes us feel uncomfortable."

Dan Qingsheng's mind moved and he said, "Brother, is it possible that Lin Pingzhi is already a top master? Mr. Ren may not be able to defeat him with certainty. This guy has learned Feng Qingyang's swordsmanship. I'm afraid that the only person in the martial arts world who can surpass his long sword is..."

Huang Zhonggong shook his head slightly and said, "While his sword techniques have certainly been perfected, and his internal energy is quite strong, he still has some advantages over the likes of us. However, this may not be the case against a truly supreme master. Moreover, Mr. Ren's martial arts skills are among the best among the top masters. You are all familiar with his martial arts. If Lin Pingzhi were to fall into his trap, wouldn't that be a shame?"

"Brother, do you mean Mr. Ren will definitely win?" Hei Baizi's face was filled with joy. "If that's the case, why not let Mr. Ren meet him? Then we can all get what we want."

"Brother, don't hesitate any longer. If you hesitate any longer, that guy will run away. He came to my Plum Manor, broke down the door and arrested people, and even stole my martial arts skills. This is really..."